UN must not support southern Africa mission in DRC, says Rwanda

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) — Rwanda implored the UN not to support a regional force deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo to fight armed groups, questioning the mission's neutrality.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) force "is not a neutral force in the current crisis," Rwanda's Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta said in a document sent to UN Security Council President made public on Friday.

Biruta claimed that the SADC mission aimed to "support the Government of DRC's belligerent posture, which bears the potential for further escalation of the conflict and increased tensions in the region."

Rwanda would have no problem with the UN supporting regional forces if they were genuinely intended to bring peace to the DRC's restive eastern region, he added.

This comes amid ongoing clashes between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army in the DRC's eastern North Kivu province, displacing thousands.

Last month, the Congolese military announced the start of a joint offensive with troops from the SADC in the east of the country, with an offensive mandate mainly targeting the M23 rebels.

The document sent to the UN Security Council president on Monday accused the SADC force of "selectively" supporting the DRC army in its offensive against M23 rebels, along with the Burundian army, as well as other non-state forces, while ignoring other multiple armed groups in eastern Congo.

It also said that supporting the DRC in pursuing a military solution violates the recommendations of regional leaders to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The 16-country SADC approved the mission to eastern DRC in May last year.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, is considering providing operational and logistical support to the SADC force, according to reports.

The force includes troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania.

The relationship between Rwanda and its neighbors remains tense.

The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels battling government forces in the east, a claim Kigali consistently denies.

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye has also accused Rwanda of backing the Burundian Red-Tabara rebel group, a charge Rwanda denies.